The Strikeforce finale was expected to serve as an unofficial audition for who would move to the UFC and those who would be looking for work elsewhere.

The dust had settled for some, such as unbeaten heavyweight Daniel Cormier, even before their fights in Oklahoma City at the promotion’s final event before folding. For others, their futures are still up in the air.

Cormier (11-0 MMA, 8-0 SF) made easy work of Dion Staring (28-8 MMA, 0-1 SF), then continued to call out originally scheduled UFC opponent Frank Mir. He thinks they’ll fight April 20 at UFC on FOX 7, and then he wants to make the cut to 205 pounds for a shot at the light heavyweight title.

Besides Cormier, there are other near shoo-ins to find their way into the UFC after their wins, including Gegard Mousasi (33-3-2 MMA, 4-1-1 SF) and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (17-3 MMA, 7-1 SF).

But even they concede there are details that need to be worked out before it becomes a reality.

“I talked to my manager,” Mousasi said. “He spoke to (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva and the UFC. I believe I’m headed to the UFC, (but) I haven’t been confirmed yet.”

Souza is in the same boat. But like Mousasi, as an internationally known fighter who continues to rack up impressive wins, likely the only thing that could keep him out of the UFC would be an inability to come to contract terms.

The biggest winner in Oklahoma City, Tarec Saffiedine (14-3 MMA, 6-1 SF), who upset champion Nate Marquardt (32-11-2 MMA, 1-1 SF) to become the final welterweight titleholder in Strikeforce history, maintains he still hasn’t talked to the UFC, though he expects that’s where he’ll wind up after a dominant performance in a unanimous decision win.

“This belt was my goal first,” he said. “Now I’ve reached my goal, and I need to set new goals. … I need to take a step back and think about what’s next for my career. I haven’t been approached by the UFC. Whatever’s coming tomorrow, I’ll be ready.”

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.